Locking-switch



F. E. GETTS.

. LOCKING SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED rtazs. 191a fatented May 11, 1920.

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LOCKING SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25, 191B Jzwerzior flan]? eZi3 ,6, V M/r y fiiionnegzs;

F. E. GETTS.

LOCKING SWITCH. APPLICATION FIILED FEB.25, 19 18 Patented May 11, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

- had to the accompanying of Illinois,

' movement releasing the UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

rimmc E. enr'rs, or CHICAGO, rumors, ASSIGNOR r0 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A

CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

rooxme swrrcn.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1920.

Application filed February 25, 1918. Serial No. 219,094.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I,-FRANK E. Gn'r'rs, a citizen of the United States, residin at Chicago, in the county of Cook and tate have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Locking-Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being drawings, formin a part of this specification.

y invention relates to locking switches, and more particularly to locking mechanism for electrical disconnect switches for use in power houses, substations and the like. r 1

It is common practice to provide switches of the above description with locking mech-' sitates a deliberate premeditated act ,on the part of thel attendant. All of this'is tothe end of safeguarding expensive transformers and other electrical equipment on the circuit which might be damaged and to protect linemen and substation operators at work repairing the line, replacing blown fuses and such. f

The switch is operated by a hook mounted on a pole of wood or like insulation. This hook engages the locking mechanism and releases thesame prior to operating the switch. In the switch heretofore constructed, the arrangement of the locking mechanism is such that the action of first releasing the locking mechanism and then operating the switch is accomplished by one movement of the o crating pole in a direction in the place 0 operating movement of the switch. That is to say, the poleis pulled in only one direction, the

locking mechanism first part of its and the latter part of its movement actuatingrthe switch.

he particular objection to this mode of operation is that the operator is pulling against the time that he is trying to release it. As a result the locking parts tend to bind and are withdrawn with difficulty from looking engagement with the switch terminals. Furthermore, in closingthe switch the pressure of closing often binds the locker in some structures releases it.

In my improved arranged the locking mechanism so thatthe releasing movement thereof is at an angle or sidewise from the. operating movement ofthe switch. Thus the release of the locking mechanism is elfectedbymovement of the operating pole in one. direction and the operation of the switch is effected by movement of the pole in another direction. By this arrangement the releasing movement of the locking mechanism is always at an angle to the direction of. locked position of the switch and thus there is, less tendency for the locking parts to bind.

I have locking mechanism with a key hole slot as' shown,.or by a variety of other constructions, and is for the-purpose of preventing removal of the operating pole from? the switch when the latter is intermediate its tion. If desired, the

open and closed positions.-

However, I do not intend to be limited to the interlocking feature, as it will be apparent that the switch be employed without this interlocking aclocking mechanism can be provided with 'a straight-sided slot which will have no interlocking action with the hook. 3

In the accom anying drawings I have illustrated two orms of my invention for single throw and double throw switches. I

locking mechanism at the same of my invention. can

locking switch, I have in detail;

tlons.

- Figure 1 is aside elevation of my-invention applied to a single throw switch; a

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is (an enlarged fragmentary elevatlonal view of the movable switch member showing the parts of the locking mechanism Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 14 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the movable switch member and locking mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a modified form of locking switch;

Fig. 7 is an end elevational View of the same; a

Fig. 8 is a sectional View through the movable switch member showing indetail the:21 locking mechanism of the modified form; an

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of theoperating hook on the end of the operating pole.

' n Figs. 1 and 2, I have shown a sub-compartment type of switch. A post insulator 2 which supports the upper switch terminal 3 is mounted on the support 1. In this particular embodiment the terminal 3 is top connected through the insulator 2 by way of the stud 4 which extends through the center of the insulator 2 and has connection with the service abovethe panel 1. The lower end of the screw 4 has threaded or other engage mentin a split socket in the curved end of. the terminal 3-3, being clamped therein bybolts 5.. 1

Thelower end of the terminal 3 is bifurcated to provide two vertical hinge terminals 6 and 7 to which are hinged or pivoted the 1 lower .terminaL 13 two pairs of blades 8-8 and 99 which constitute the movable switch member S. he hinge and contact terminals with cooperating blades may be of any desired number from'one to as many as are consistent with requirements. The hinge terminals 6 and 7 are interposed between the pairs of switch blades 8 and 9, pivotal connection 'therebetween being had by short bolts 11 provided with spring washers 12 which bear against the switch blade to retain them in firlln frictional engagement with the termina s.

The pairs of switch blades 8 and 9 extend down in parallel alinement from the hinge. arms 6 and 7 to the lower switch terminal 13. This lower switch terminal is mounted upon the post insulator 14, which is secured upon a ledge or-suitable support 15.

Similarly to the upper I terminal 3, the is bottom-connected through the insulator 14 with the service and tween the parallel switch blades.

' the has its end bifurcatedto provide the two lugs 17 and 18 which are adapted to engage.

between. the pairs of switch blades 8 and 9, v

respectively, when the latter are in closed position.

The extreme ends of the pairs of switch blades 8 and 9 are held together by short bolts 20 and cooperating spring washers 22. As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the lower terminal lugs 17 and 18 are provided with open slots 24 which. receive the bolts 20 when the switch is moved to closed position. A look case or housing 25 is supported on the outer edge of the movable switch member S by ears 26' which extend down between the pair of switch blades 8 and 9 and are held therein by shoulder pins 27 as shown in fragmentary section in Fig. 5. These pins have enlarged central portions 27 which act as s acers ben the assembly of the switch the pins 27 are inserted in the ears 26 and the pairs of switch blades 8 and 9 are placed over the reduced ends of pins and are clamped thereto by the bolts 20. The spring washers 22 yieldingly press the adjacent switch blades toward the spacer 27 and these are made of the proper thickness to give the adjacent blades a spacing slightly less than the thickness of the terminals 17 and 18. Thus, when the movable switch member S is moved into closed position, the pairs of switchv blades 8 and 9 will be spread slightly by the beveled edges 28 of the terminal lugs 17 and 18, and will have firm contact with the sides of the terminals under the tension of the spring washers 22. v a

' The lock case 25 has a narrow portion 29 extending out from the top which incloses a lock operatin arm 31.

Referring to Figs. 3 'and 4, the outer end of the arm 31 is formed with an elongated eye 32which registers with the key hole slots 33 and 33 in opposite sides of the casing 29. The arm is bifurcated as shown in Fig. 4 to extend between the pairs of switch blades 8-8 and 99. The inner ends of the arms 31 arepivotally mounted on the trans verse shoulder pins 35 which are supported in the pairs of switch blades 88 and 99.

In the description immediately following I shall refer only to the parts supported between'the switch blades 8-8, it being understood that a duplicate combination of locking parts is disposed between the switch blade 9 and 9. The number of blades may be varied to suit conditions.

The upper edge of the terminal 17 is formed with a notch 36 (Fig. 3) in which engages the hook of the detent latch 38. This latch is pivoted on the enlarged pdrtion of the pin 35 between theswitch b ades 8 and 8. A"latch bolt 39 is supported-bestantially filling the switch blades 8 and 8.

tween the switch blades 8 and 8, and is guided for reciprocating movement by shoulder pins 40, which lie in slots in the bolt 39 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. The lower end of. the bolt 39 is scarfed, as is also the outer end of the latch 38, these two ends forming an overlapping connection subspace between the he end of a pin 41 extends through alined holes in the scarfed parts of the latch 38 and latch bolt 39:

The under face of the lock cover is provided with an arcuate' recess 43, directly over the space betweenthe switch blades 8 and 8', to accommodate the transverse shoulders of the arm 31 in its oscillating movement. 7

Referring to the latch bolt 39, a compression spring 44 is confined between the end of one of the slots therein and the com- .panion pin 40, and tends to retain the nose 45 of the bolt in a notch 46 in the lower edge of the hinge arm 6. A circumferential cam 47 is formed inthe lateral edge of the terminal. 6, concentric with the bolt 11 and extends from the notch 46 to another notch 48 in the lateral edge of the terminal 6.

This latter notch is angularly positioned approximately90 from the notch 46 so that when the movable switch member S is revolved up to a position at right angles to its closed'position (as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l) the nose 45 of the latch bolt will be engageable in the horizontal notch 48 to lock the movable switch member S in this open position. The notches may bemade for any angle desired.

It will be apparent that to release the locking mechanism the arm 31 must be oscillated about'the transverse pins 35." This motion swings the yoke 31, moving the latch 38 from the notch 36 and retracting the latch bolt 39 from the-notch 46. j

The operating handle H, for operating the switch, is illustrated in Fig. 9. A cap pole 51 of wood or other insulating material. This cap memberhas a laterally extending shank 52, provided with an enlarged head 53, of properdiameter to pass through the circular opening of the key hole slot 33 but larger than the narro"w end of the slot. In the operation of the switch,

the enlarged head 53 of the operating hook H is inserted through the alining key hole slots 33 and the eye 32 in the casing 26. The operating pole is drawn in a line' practically parallel to the movable'switch S,'draw ing the shank 52 down into the narrow end .of the key hole slot 33 and simultaneously rocking the yoke 31. As previously described, the motion of the arm 31 is transmitted to the latch 38' and the latch bolt 39, disengaging the same from their respective notches. The movable switch member S is now free to be swung into its open position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

As soon as this motion begins, the operating hook is interlocked in the key hole slot 33. The head 53 on the hook prevents removal of the same through the constricted end of the key hole slot 33 and the latch 38 in its engagement with the upper edge of the'terminal 17 prevents retrograde movement of the arm-" 31 to return the eye 32 to coincidence with the circular opening in the key. hole slot 33. This interlocked relation between the operating hook H and the movable switch member. S is maintained until the switch member S has been revolved into andis locked in open position. This is accomplished first by the sliding engagement upper edge 55 of the terminal 17, and sec ondly by the sliding engagement of the nose 45 along the circumferential cam 47, these two actions overlapping so that at no time of the hook end of the latch 38 along the h during the operating movement of the switch member S will the yoke 31 be free to return to a position bringing the'eye 32 into registration with the circular opening of the key hole slot 33.

When the switch member S has been moved to open position, the nose 45 of the bolt 39 rides oil of the end of the cam 47 into the notch -48' under the action of the spring 44, looking the switch member S in this position. When the bolt 39 has been shot, the yoke 31 and the eye 32 return into registration with the circular opening of the key hole slot, 33, permitting withdrawal of the hook. The reverse operation will be obvious from the foregoing description. The

release of the locking mechanism is accomplished by movement of the operating hook, at an angle to the direction of the locked position of the switch member S and thus there is no 'difliculty in releasing the latching member from terminals.

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8 I have shown a modified form of locking mechanism which is particularly adapted to double throw switches. A panel 60 supports the post insulators 61 and 62, which in turn support the hinge terminal 63 and the contactterminal 64 of the switch. The hinge terminal 63is shown as having front connection to the link65, which is capableof assuming any angular position and the lower termi-.

nal 64 is shown as being back-connected through the insulators 66. The manner of connecting these terminals is of courseoptional to meet the requirements of the in stallation. The switch blades 67-67 are hinged or pivoted to the terminal 63 by'the bolt and spring washer connection 68, and have their free ends held together by another such connection 69. Each of the parall e1 switch blades has riveted thereto' an individual casing section 71--71.'

The casing sections 71-71 extend beyondthe edges of the blades 67- -67, with a circular conformation to form lock casings and are provided with the oppositely extending key hole slots 72. The margins of :these' casin s have inwardly extending rocking arm 75, pivoted to. the switch blades by the pin 76, and the two latch bolts 7 778, The upper bolt 77 is guided for reciprocating movement by the pins 80, secured in the switch blades 67 which operate in slots in the bolts 77.

The other bolt 78 is guided by a similar pin 81 and the shank of the bolt .74 engaging in slots in this bolt. Compression springs 82-83 in these slots tend to retain the bolts in thepositions illustrated. The arm 75 has lateral studs 8485 which form pins to the bolts 78 and 77, respectively. The ends of thearm 75 are provided with eyes 8686 alined with the key hole slots 72 for engagement by the operating hook H in the operation of the switch.

The nose'of the latch bolt 78 engages against a shoulder ,87 in the edge of the switch terminal 64 and the nose of the latch bolt 77 engages against a shoulder 88 in the edge of the switch terminal 63. A cam surface 90, concentric with the bolt 68, extends from the shoulder 88 in the terminal 63 to the notch or recess 91 cut intothe outer end of the terminal. The cam 90 runs from the other side of the notch or recess 91 to the shoulder 88 in the opposite edge of the terminal 63. V

The operation of this modified locking switch is as follows:

The head 53 of the operating hook .H is

inserted t rough the circular opening either the right or left hand key hole slot 7 The downward pull on the operating pole rocks the arm 75 and through the motion of the studs 84 and 85 retracts the latch bolts 77 and 78 from their respective shoulders 88 and 87. The switch is now unlocked and ready to be 0 rated, which is accomplished as described or the preceding'embodiment. When it is desired to lock the switch in'open position, the operating pole 31 is moved up until the latch bolt 77 comes into line with the notchvor recess :91. The bolt will drop into the notch, due to the compression spring 82.

eratinghook can be withdrawn through the The. arm 75 will move so that the opcircular opening in the key hole slot 72;

7 When the switch is constructed as a double throw switch, an additional terminal 93, similar to the terminal 64, is supported upon a post insulator 9.4e2itending from the'panel 60. Assuming that it is desired to complete the throw on the lower terminal 64 to the would be held with the operating hook thereof at'the extreme narrow end of the key hole slot 72. This would prevent the latch bolt 77 from snapping into the notch or recess 91 and accordingly the switch member S could be carried over and into engagement with the switch terminal 93. When.

the switch member S has been moved into closed position upon either the terminal 93 upper terminal. 93, the operating pole 51 or the" terminal 64, the latch bolts 77 and 78 will snap back of the respective shoulders in the edges of the switch terminals, locking the switch, and releasing the hook. The

terminals 93 and 64 are provided with shoulders 95 (see upper terminal 93) on the sides of the terminals to limit the inward travel of the movable switch member S.

The cams 90 afford the interlocking action between the switch member. and operating hook. In the travel of the movable switch member S from closed to opened position and vicejversa, the latch bolt 77 is retained in retracted position by these cams, and through the bolt 77 retain the arm with the eye 86 adjacent the narrow end of the said terminals, locking means on said switch member for looking the same in open or closed position, and an operatingbmember engageable with said locking means to release the latter, said locking fneans being released by movement of the operating member substantially lengthwise with respect to H said switch member.

2. In an electrical switch, switch termina'ls, a switch member adapted to connect said terminals, locking means for locking said switch member in open or closed position, an operating member engageable with said switch member for first releasing said locking means and subsequently operating said switch member, said locking means being releasable by movement of said operating member substantially lengthwise with respect to said switch member.

3. In. an electrical switch, switch terminals, a switch mem er adapted to connect said terminals, locking means on said switch member for locking the same in open or closed position, and a device for operating said switch, saidoperating-device engageswitch terminals, a switch member movable to open and closed positions relative to said terminals, locking mechanism on said switch member for locking the latter in either of said positions, and lock releasing means on said switch member operable by movement of the same at an angle to the closing or opening movements of said switch member.

7. In an electric switch, a plurality of switch terminals, a switch member movable to open and closed positions relative to said terminals, locking mechanism on said switch member comprising latches engageable in recesses in said terminals to lock said switch member in either of said positionsand a releasing arm operatively connected to said latches and operable by movement substantially parallel to the disengaging movement of said latches.

8. In an electric switch, a switch terminals, a switch member movable to open and closed positions relative to said terminals, locking members on said switch member engaging with said terminals to lock said switch member either of said positions and a releasing arm operable to release said locking members by movement substantially parallel to the movement of said locking members.

9. In an electrical switch, switch terminals, a switch member adapted to connect said terminals, locking means for locking said switch member in closed position,

ing said locking means and for actuating for operating said switch,

locking means on said switch plurality of being means for operating said switch, and means necessitating two distinct movements of said operating means for releasing said locking means and for actuating said switch.

10. In an electric switch, a plurality of switch terminals, a movable switch member pivoted to one of said terminals, locking mechanism on said switch member for locking the latter in either open or closed position with respect to said other terminals, a releasing arm 'for said locking mechanism having an aperture engaged by a switch operating device, said locking mechanism having a slot therein in registration with the aperture in said re leasing arm and in which said operating device must be moved to actuate said releasing arm, said slot extending at an angle to the direction of motion of said switch member.

11. In a locking switch, a pair of parallel switch blades, locking mechanism between said switch blades, a lock releasing member extending transversely from said switch blades and having an aperture therein engageable by a switch operating hook, and a cover member secured to the free ends of said switch blades and inclosing said lock releasing member, said cover member having slots coincident with said aperture, said cover member connecting and holding said switch blades in parallel alinement.

12. In a locking switch, a plurality of parallel switch blades, locking mechanism between said switch blades, a lock releasing member extending transversely from said switch blades and having an aperture therein engageable by a switch operating hook, a cover member secured to the free ends of said switch blades and inclosing said lock releasing member, said cover member having key holelslots coincident with said aper ture for interlocking said switch operating hook thereto, and lugs on said cover member extending between said switch blades for spacing and holding said blades in parallel alinement.

13. In combination, a switch blade,- a pivot. post forithe blade, a gripping or contact post for the blade,-a bolt for engaging one of the posts supported on the blade and movable along the blade, and a lever pivoted to said blade and bolt transversely of the blade and of the bolt, said lever having an eye in its free end, whereby said bolt is released by movement at an angle to the operating movement of said blade.

14. In combination, pivot post for the blade, a gripping or contact post for the blade, a bolt'for engaging one of the posts supported on'the blade and being movable along the blade, and a lever pivoted to said blade and bolt transversely of the blade and of the bolt, said lever hava switch blade, a.

thereinadapted to be ing an eye in its free end, and acasing means for engaging said pivot post for lockguarding the free end of the lever, said casing said switch bladein open position, and 10 mg being connected to the blade. means for releasing, said latch means.

15. In combination, a' switch blade, a In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe 5 pivot post for said blade, a gripping or conmy' name this 4th day of January, A. D. J tact post for said blade, latch means for en- 1918. v gaging said gripping or contact post to lock sai s itch ade in closed position, latch FRANK E. GETTS. 

